206617 2009 ACHNE research priorities for public health nursing

Monday, November 9, 2009: 12:55 PM

Barbara J. Polivka, PhD, RN , College of Nursing, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH
Joan Kub, PhD, APHN, BC , Johns Hopkins School of Nursing, Baltimore, MD
Martha Dewey Bergren, DNS RN NCSN FNASN FASHA , Director of Research, National Association of School Nurses, Silver Spring, MD
Rosemary V. Chaudry, RN, PhD , College of Nursing, Ohio State University, Columbus, OH
Naomi Ervin, PhD, RN , School of Nursing, Eastern Michigan University, Ypsilanti, MI
Judith Hays, PhD, RN , School of Nursing, Duke University, Durham, NC
Khaleelah Hasan , School of Nursing, Louisiana State University, New Orleans, LA
Diane McNaughton, PhD, RN , College of Nursing, Community and Mental Health Nursing, Rush University, Chicago, IL
Demetrius Porche, PhD, RN , School of Nursing, Louisiana State University, New Orleans, LA
Background: The Association of Community Health Nurse Educators (ACHNE) developed research priorities for public health nursing in 1992 and in 2000. In 2006 the ACHNE Research Committee was asked to update and revise the 2000 ACHNE Research Priorities for public health nursing.

Methods: A review of public health nursing research abstracts (n=485) from seven selected nursing journals was completed to identify progress in addressing the 2000 Priorities, determine research methods used, health issues and health behaviors addressed, and demographics of study populations. Additional data gathered included research priorities from key federal funding agencies and insights from the editors of Public Health Nursing.

Results: The most common 2000 topical research priority areas addressed related to health promotion, decreasing disparities, and global health. Less than 20% of the studies dealt with public health nursing workforce. Only 12% of the studies used quasi-experimental or experimental methods. Most studies involved adults or the elderly. A plethora of health issues and health behaviors were studied. The journal editors identified the need for more complex methodological approaches and longitudinal studies. Review findings helped to guide the development of the 2009 ACHNE topical and methodological research priorities for public health nursing. These priorities will be presented and discussed in light of the school nurse research priorities and the PHN section of the APHA priorities. Common goals will be developed.

Conclusions: It is imperative that public health nursing practice be evidence based. Collaboration among educators, researchers, and practitioners is needed to further the science of population-based nursing practice.

Learning Objectives:
1.Describe the process for developing the 2009 ACHNE Research Priorities for public health nursing research. 2.List three public health nursing research priorities. 3.Explain how the priorities create the foundation for evidence based practice and advocacy. 4.Compare the ACHNE public health nursing research priorities to the school nurse and the PHN section of APHA priorities. 5.Formulate two common research goals.

Keywords: Public Health Nursing, Public Health Research

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: I chair the ACHNE Research Committee and chair the sub-committee that developed the 2009 ACHNE Research Priorities. I have coordinated the development of the priorities.
Any relevant financial relationships? No

I agree to comply with the American Public Health Association Conflict of Interest and Commercial Support Guidelines, and to disclose to the participants any off-label or experimental uses of a commercial product or service discussed in my presentation.

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See more of: Public Health Nursing